What's Your Credo?

Everyone needs a credo. Otherwise known as a belief or a philosophy. The phrase that pays. Words to live by. The tape that plays in our heads when we need to make a decision. The little angel (or devil) on our shoulder.

I'll share my credo with you. Especially if you're a business owner, because you'll need one, and this one hasn't failed me yet. I suggest you print it out and tape it up on your bathroom mirror, where you will see it every day. Here it is:

"SOMETHING IS GOING TO GO WRONG TODAY."

Simple, right? I know, but that's the beauty of it. If is does, you'll be proven right. And, if it doesn't, it's a lucky day, and you might want to go buy a lottery ticket. Seems funny, but if you think about how many people you come into contact with on a daily basis, how many decisions you have to make—both easy and tough—and how many people are affected by what you do, this credo makes sense.

As a business owner, your decisions matter to many people, not just yourself. And, if you're prepared for the less-successful outcome, if you're ready for things to zig when you're planning to zag, or if you ask yourself, "What would the Magic 8-ball say?" you'll have a better chance of being prepared for whatever curveball gets pitched at you

Stay on your toes. Peek around the corner. Plan for A but keep the Plan B loaded, just in case. Never let them see you sweat, or catch you with your pants down. Yep, something's not going to go the way you think it will, but it you had one great idea, you'll probably have another, so act fast, be ready and above all, be flexible.

It's one of the most important qualities a business owner can possess.

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About the Author:

Karie Bennett

Karie Z. Bennett cut her own bangs on her third birthday, wrote a book at age 8, and the rest is destined for her memoirs. She celebrated her 30th year as a hairstylist by launching a second career—as a writer. Currently working her way through The Writer’s Studio program at Stanford University, she freelances for Salon Today magazine and is the San Jose Small Business Examiner for examiner.com. Her salons, Atelier Salonspa and Atelier Studio, in San Jose, California, have captured a number of industry awards, including the Global Salon Business Award, NAHA’s Master of Business Award, the SALON TODAY 200, and S.T.A.M.P. Read Karie’s blogs at salontoday.com.